DE112017005324T5 - INTERCHANGEABLE DOSING ARMING DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

A cryogenic liquid dispenser includes a metering housing configured to receive the cryogenic liquid. The dosing arm has a proximal end and a distal end and a central passage extending between the proximal and distal ends. In addition, the dosing arm is configured to receive cryogenic liquid from the dosing housing. A bayonet connection removably connects the proximal end of the dosing arm to the dosing housing. A dosing head is mounted at the distal end of the dosing arm and configured to receive cryogenic liquid from the central passage of the dosing arm and deliver the cryogenic liquid.

Description

PRIORITY PRESS

This application takes priority of the submitted on 19 October 2016 US Provisional Application No. 62 / 409.980 claim, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to dispensing systems for cryogenic liquids and, more particularly, to exchangeable dosing arms for cryogenic liquid feeders.

BACKGROUND

Cryogenic liquids, i. Liquids with a boiling point generally below -150 ° C at atmospheric pressure are used in a variety of industrial applications. One example is the packaging of food, beverages and other products.

Part of the liquid nitrogen (a cryogenic fluid) heats up and expands at ambient temperature to 700 parts of gaseous nitrogen. Based on this feature, automated dispensers and systems have been developed that precisely meter the measured doses of liquid nitrogen into product containers prior to sealing. The trapped liquid nitrogen vaporizes, creating pressure in the container to impart rigidity to the container. This allows the use of a thinner vessel wall, which reduces material costs and weight. Alternatively, in preservative and modified packaging (MAP) applications, the rapidly expanding gas may escape before the product package is sealed, flushing out oxygen and prolonging the life. In yet another application, a dose of liquid nitrogen is introduced to "trap" the food and freeze it on the surface (e.g., new ice cream).

A typical prior art metering system is in 1 shown. The liquid nitrogen is stored in a vacuum-insulated bulk container 20 stored and via a vacuum insulated pipe 22 to a phase separator 24 to hand over. Liquid nitrogen is then passed over the line 26 fed to a doser, which is generally at 28 is specified. The doser includes a dosing housing 30 receiving an isolated cryogen source reservoir which removes the liquid nitrogen from line 26 receives. A dosing arm 32 is with the dosing housing 30 connected and in communication with the cryogen source reservoir. At the distal end of the metering is a dosing 34 , The dosing arm 32 includes a vacuum insulated piping such that liquid nitrogen from the cryogen source reservoir of the metering housing communicates with the dosing head 34 is supplied. A conveyor belt of a product packaging system runs under the dosing head. The dosing head includes a valve that doses or injects droplets of very precise amounts of liquid nitrogen into product containers as they pass under the dosing head on the conveyor.

Prior art dispensers use a fixed metering arm that extends from the metering housing. This requires a number of different doser models to enable user applications with different arm lengths. In addition, solid dose dispensers increase the difficulty and cost of developing custom solutions to meet user needs.

list of figures

• 1 is a schematic representation of a dosing system according to the prior art;
• 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a doser;
• 3 is an exploded view of the doser of 2 ;
• 4 is a cross section through the metering housing, the outlet fitting and the male bayonet fitting of 1-3 ;
• 5A is an enlarged view of the male bayonet connector of 4 ;
• 5B is a cross section through the male bayonet connector of 5A along the line 5B - 5B ;
• 6 is a side view of the outer shell of the sleeve, the flange and the insertion of the bayonet connection of the 5A and 5B ;
• 7 is a side view of the use of the male bayonet connection of 5A and 5B ;
• 8th is a perspective view of the dosing of the 2 and 3 ;
• 9 is a plan view of the dosing of 8th ;
• 10 is a cross-sectional view of the doser of 8th and 9 along the line 10 - 10 the 9 ;
• 11 is an enlarged side view of the female bayonet connection of the dosing of the 7-10 ;
• 12 is a cross section through the female bayonet connection of 11 along the line 12 - 12 from 11 ;
• 13 is a cross section through the connected male and female bayonet connectors of 2-12 ;
• The 14A and 14B illustrate the male and female bayonet connectors, a jack and a clip before connecting ( 14A) and after connecting and clamping ( 14B) ;
• 15 is a side view of the dosing of the 2 . 3 and 13 with connected and clamped male and female bayonet outlets.

SUMMARY

There are several aspects of the present subject matter that may be illustrated separately or together in the devices and systems described and claimed below. These aspects may be used alone or in combination with other aspects of the subject matter described herein, and the description of these aspects taken together is not intended to exclude that these aspects are used individually or in various combinations as set forth in the appended claims.

In one aspect, a cryogenic liquid dispenser includes a metering housing configured to receive the cryogenic liquid. A metering arm has a proximal end and a distal end with a central passage extending between the proximal and distal ends and configured to receive cryogenic liquid from the metering housing. A bayonet connection removably connects the proximal end of the dosing arm to the dosing housing. A dosing head is mounted at the distal end of the dosing arm and configured to receive cryogenic liquid from the central passage of the dosing arm and deliver the cryogenic liquid.

In another aspect, a cryogenic liquid dispenser includes a metering housing having a container configured to receive the cryogenic liquid. An outlet fitting includes an outer jacket of the outlet fitting. An inner tube of the outlet fitting is located within the outer jacket of the outlet fitting. The outlet inner tube is in fluid communication with the container of the metering housing. An outlet fitting sleeve is connected to the outlet fitting outer shell and the inner tube so that an annulus is defined between them. An outlet fitting flange is disposed on the outlet fitting sleeve. A male bayonet insert bar is attached to the outlet fitting sleeve and is in fluid communication with the outlet fitting inner tube. A dosing arm has a proximal end and a distal end. The metering arm also includes a metering outer shell with a metering inner tube disposed within the metering shell outer shell. The inner tube of the dosing arm has a central passage. A Dosierarm sleeve is connected to the outer jacket of the Dosierarms and the inner tube, so that a sealed annulus is defined. The annulus is generally evacuated from air. A metering arm flange positioned on the metering sleeve and removably attached to the outlet fitting flange. The male bayonet insert bar is removably positioned within and in fluid communication with the central passage of the inner tube of the metering arm. A metering head is mounted at the distal end of the metering arm and configured to receive cryogenic liquid from the central passage of the inner tube of the metering arm to deliver the cryogenic liquid.

In yet another aspect, a metering arm includes an outer shell of the metering arm. A metering inner tube is disposed within the metering outer shell and has a central passageway. A dosing head is positioned at a distal end of the dosing arm and configured to receive a cryogenic liquid from the central passage. A metering sleeve is connected to the outer shell and the inner tube of the metering at a proximal end of the metering, so that between them a sealed annulus is defined. The annulus is generally evacuated from air. A metering arm flange is positioned on the metering sleeve.

In yet another aspect, a method of changing a metering arm of a doser includes the steps of separating flanges of a male bayonet fitting and a first female bayonet fitting, the male bayonet fitting secured to a metering housing of the metering device and the first female bayonet fitting secured to a first metering arm, Removing an insert rod of the male bayonet fitting from a central passage of the first female bayonet fitting, inserting the insert rod into a central passageway of a second female bayonet fitting of a second metering arm and connecting the flanges of the male bayonet fitting and the second female bayonet fitting.

In yet another aspect, a method of changing a metering arm of a doser includes the steps of separating flanges of a first male bayonet port and a female bayonet fitting, wherein the first male bayonet fitting is secured to a first metering arm and the female bayonet fitting is secured to the metering housing of the doser, removing an insert rod of the first male bayonet fitting from a central passageway of the female bayonet fitting, inserting a deployment rod of a second metering arm into the first bayonet fitting central passage of the female bayonet connection and connecting the flanges of the second male bayonet connection and the female bayonet connection.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of the invention provide a replaceable dosing arm. The replaceable dosing arm is a fully modular design with a female cryogenic bayonet inlet that simplifies the dosing assembly while increasing flexibility in user applications. The arm is vacuum-insulated independently of the housing and can accommodate several different types of dosing drives. It can be manufactured in various lengths to cover a variety of standard applications, while offering the ability to customize it to the individual needs of the user.

While the invention is described below with respect to metering and metering systems that inject droplets of liquid nitrogen into the product package, it can be used with other types of metering systems and cryogenic liquids. In addition, while the metering arm is described in the form of a metering arm with a single metering head, alternative embodiments may include multiple metering heads mounted on a single metering arm.

A doser incorporating one embodiment of the replaceable metering arms of the invention is generally 40 in 2 specified. The doser includes a dosing housing 42 standing on a pillar 44 a tripod is mounted. The Dosiergehäuse, as previously with reference to 1 described, takes liquid nitrogen through an inlet fitting 46 on that over the clamp 48 attached to a liquid nitrogen supply line (also in 3 and 4 shown).

With reference to the 2 and 3 enters a vacuum-insulated gooseneck-shaped outlet fitting 50 from the bottom of the metering and is, as described in more detail below, via a bayonet connection to a vacuum-insulated metering 52 attached. A dosing head 54 is positioned at the distal end of the metering and takes, as explained in more detail below, a metering valve on. A metering valve actuator 56 is via an adapter 58 at the top of the dosing head 54 assembles and actuates the valve stem 57 for opening and closing the dosing valve in the dosing head 54 , This will make the droplets of liquid nitrogen over the optional hotplate 60 , which is attached to the bottom of the dosing, dosed very accurately.

With reference to 4 is located in the dosing housing, indicated generally at 42, a vacuum insulated container which holds the liquid nitrogen. More specifically, the metering housing includes 42 an outer jacket 62 and an inner tank 64 where the space 66 In between is evacuated from air, so that the vacuum-insulated memory is provided. A supply of liquid nitrogen 68 (taken from the inlet fitting 46 ) is in the inner tank 64 stored. By way of example only, further details on the construction of the meter body as in U.S. Patent No. 6,182,715 by Ziegler et al. be illustrated, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The outlet fitting of the metering housing, which in 4 generally indicated at 50, has an inner tube 72 and an outer jacket 74 on. A male bayonet fitting in the 4 . 5A and 5B generally indicated at 76, is located at the distal end of the goosenecked outlet fitting. The male bayonet connection includes a sleeve 78 attached in the circumferential direction and with the outer jacket 74 by welding, soldering, gluing or other arrangements known in the art. The sleeve 78 is with a ring flange 82 Provided. From the sleeve flange protrudes an insert rod 84 out.

The insert rod 84 of the male bayonet connection includes a tubular sheath sheath, which in the 5A . 5B and 6 at 86 is specified. As in 6 illustrated, includes the skirt sheath 86 a circumferentially tapered distal tip section 88 , A male bayonet connector insert generally with 92 in 7 is specified, includes an inner tube 94 which optionally comes with a wrapper 96 is provided. Only as examples can the inner tube 94 made of stainless steel and the winding 96 CRS WRAP available from Lydall, Inc. of Rochester, New Hampshire. The use 92 also includes a flange bushing 98 Made of stainless steel only by way of example 304 or stainless steel 316L can be made.

As in the 5A and 5B represented, the use becomes 92 from 7 inserted through a central passageway through the sleeve 78 and the sheath 86 from 6 is formed. This will be the flange bushing 98 sealing in the Rifle 78 added. The distal tip of the inner tube is attached circumferentially and to the tip of the conical distal tip section 88 of the coat 86 sealed by welding, soldering, gluing or other fastening devices known in the art. As a result, an annular insulation space is formed, which is in 5B with 102 is indicated. As with 104 in 4 indicated, lies the proximal end of the inner tube 94 at the distal end of the inner tube 72 the outlet fitting 50 and is circumferentially secured thereto and sealed by welding, soldering, gluing or other arrangements known in the art.

Both 8th and 9 is the dosing of 2 generally with 52 and the dosing with 54 displayed. The dosing arm 52 includes an outer shell of the dosing, which is generally at 110 is indicated, the a circumferentially tapered proximal end portion 112 includes. The distal end of the coat 110 is attached in the circumferential direction and with the dosing 54 sealed. An optional mounting bracket 114 at the dosing head 54 enables the installation of components for special applications. On the top of the dosing head 54 there is a holder 116 for fixing the dosing actuator (eg 56 in 1 ). As mentioned earlier, while a single dosing head 54 instead, several dosing heads are shown at the distal end of the dosing arm 52 be attached.

As in 10 is a Dosierarm inner tube 120 inside the outer jacket 110 arranged. As in the 11 and 12 shown is a sleeve 122 with an annular flange 124 attached in the circumferential direction and a flange bushing 126 ( 12 ) at the proximal end of the inner tube 120 sealed. Just as an example, the inner tube 120 be made of stainless steel. The flange bush 126 can only be made of stainless steel 304 or stainless steel 316L getting produced.

Back to 10 , is the sleeve 122 the 11 and 12 fixed in the circumferential direction and with the conical end portion 112 of the outer jacket 110 sealed by welding, soldering, gluing or other fastening arrangement known in the art. A bellows 126 is with one end at the distal end of the inner tube 120 attached. A pipe section 128 connects the other end of the bellows with a valve body 130 , The bellows takes the thermal expansion of the inner tube 120 when the cold liquid nitrogen flows and stops flowing through. The bellows 126 can only be made of stainless steel 304 or stainless steel 316L getting produced.

With reference to 10 liquid nitrogen flows during use of the dosing into one of the valve body 130 defined pantry 129 , A needle valve stem, which in the closed position fictitious with 57 is shown (also in 3 represented) by the Dosierventilstellglied ( 56 in 2 and 3 ). When opening the metering valve, the valve stem moves 57 upwards and from the valve seat 131 path. As a result, one or more droplets of liquid nitrogen pass out of the feed chamber 129 from the bottom of the dosing head 54 as by arrow 133 displayed. Alternative embodiments of the metering valve and the metering head and exemplary details of the Dosierventilstellglieds are in U.S. Patent No. 7,281,550 von Ziegler, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, as well as in the U.S. Patent No. 6,182,715 by Ziegler et al., previously incorporated by reference.

The inner tube 120 defines a central passage that is sized to fit the insert rod 84 ( 3-5 ) of the male bayonet connection. This will be at the proximal end of the dosing 52 a female bayonet connection formed.

Between the inner tube 120 and the outer jacket 110 is an annulus 132 Are defined. A vacuum connection arrangement, which is generally in 134 in 10 allows the evacuation of air from the annulus to provide the dosing with a vacuum insulation. The vacuum connection arrangement includes a fitting 136 defining a passage in fluid communication with the annulus 132 stands. A stopper 138 is removably positioned within the valve and is removed during the venting of the annulus and then replaced. A removable cap 142 reaches into the fitting 136 one to the stopper 138 cover. A removable cover 144 engages in a base 146 to protect the vacuum interface assembly when not in use.

As in 13 shown, the male bayonet connector is the 3 and 4 with the female bayonet connection the 10 connected by the insertion rod 84 of the male bayonet fitting is inserted into the middle passageway passing through the inner tube 120 the female bayonet connection is defined. Insertion continues until the ring flange 82 the male bayonet fitting adjacent to the ring flange 124 the female bayonet connector is positioned as in 13 shown. Between the annular flanges is a bush, which in the 8th . 9 and 14A with 150 is specified.

The bayonet connection is with the 152 in the 8th . 9 . 14A and 14B sealed terminal. More specifically, as in the 8th . 9 . 14A and 14B As shown, the clamp includes a central opening formed by an inner surface and an annular groove 154 is defined in the inner surface. The clamp is made of a flexible material (eg metal) and can be closed to a reduced diameter and by operating a lock or a lock 156 locked or unlocked and opened. Suitable clamps are known in the art.

As in the 14A and 14B shown, the bayonet connection is in the in 13 illustrated configuration locked by the annular flanges 82 and 124 into the middle opening of the clamp 152 with the seal in between 150 be used. The lock 156 The clamp is then closed, leaving the flanges 82 and 124 inside the ring groove 154 the clamp with the seal compressed or sandwiched in between 150 as in the 14B and 15 shown connected to each other.

Alternatively, instead of the illustrated clamp, other devices known in the art may be used to secure the flanges of the male bayonet fitting and the female bayonet fitting. By way of example only, the flanges may be interconnected by fasteners, such as screws passing through openings in the flanges.

In an alternative embodiment, the alignment of the male and female bayonet connections of the bayonet connection can be reversed. More precisely, the outlet fitting could 50 of the metering housing with the female bayonet connection, while the proximal end of the metering 52 could be provided with the male bayonet connection.

In relation to 15 points the dosing 52 a length up through the arrows 160 is marked. If a user application requires a different length, the clamp can 152 simply open, the existing dosing removed and another dosing of the same construction, but with a different length 160 , on the dispenser outlet fitting 150 be attached. Only as examples can the length 160 15 Inches or 22.5 inches.

The use of a single metering housing and replaceable metering arms makes the metering unit described above truly modular, enabling it to offer fast, cost-effective and tailor-made solutions for individual situations in which users can emerge.

While the preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined by the following claims.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 62/409980 [0001]
• US 6182715 [0017, 0024]
• US 7281550 [0024]

Claims (24)

What is claimed is: A doser for delivering a cryogenic fluid, comprising: a. a metering housing configured to receive the cryogenic fluid; b. a metering arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the metering arm having a central passage extending between the proximal and distal ends and configured to receive cryogenic fluid from the metering housing; c. a bayonet connection releasably connecting the proximal end of the metering arm to the metering housing; and d. a dosing head mounted at the distal end of the dosing arm and configured to receive cryogenic liquid from the central passage of the dosing arm and deliver the cryogenic liquid. Doser after Claim 1 wherein the dosing arm is vacuum insulated and the proximal end of the dosing arm includes a female bayonet fitting. Doser after Claim 2 and further comprising an outlet fitting in fluid communication with the metering housing, the outlet fitting being provided with a male bayonet fitting having an insert rod removably positioned within the central passage of the metering arm. Doser after Claim 3 wherein the female bayonet fitting includes a female bayonet flange and the male bayonet fitting includes a male bayonet flange removably attached to the female bayonet flange. Doser after Claim 4 wherein the male bayonet flange is removably attached to the female bayonet flange by a clamp. Doser after Claim 4 wherein the male bayonet flange is removably attached to the female bayonet flange by fasteners. Doser after one of Claims 4 - 6 , further comprising a bushing interposed between the male bayonet flange and the female bayonet flange. Doser after Claim 1 wherein the doser includes an outer shell of the metering housing and an inner tank positioned within the outer shell of the metering housing such that an isolation region of the metering housing is defined therebetween, the space being generally evacuated from air. Doser after Claim 8 , further comprising an outlet fitting having an outlet fitting outer shell and an outlet fitting inner tube disposed within the outlet fitting outer shell defining an annulus therebetween, the annulus being in fluid communication with the isolation region of the metering housing such that the outlet fitting is vacuum insulated is. Doser after one of Claims 1 - 9 wherein the cryogenic fluid is liquid nitrogen. Doser after one of Claims 1 - 10 , further comprising at least one additional dosing head mounted at the distal end of the dosing arm and configured to receive cryogenic liquids from the central passage of the dosing arm and deliver the cryogenic liquid. A dispenser for dispensing a cryogenic fluid, comprising: a. a metering housing having a container configured to receive the cryogenic liquid; b. an outlet fitting comprising: i) an outlet fitting outer jacket; ii) an outlet fitting inner tube positioned within the outlet fitting outer jacket, the outlet inner tube being in fluid communication with the container of the metering housing; iii) an outlet fitting sleeve connected to the outlet fitting outer jacket and the inner tube such that an annulus is defined therebetween; iv) an outlet fitting flange positioned on the outlet fitting sleeve; v) a male bayonet insert bar attached to the outlet fitting sleeve and in fluid communication with the outlet fitting inner tube; c. a dosing arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the dosing arm including: i) a dosing arm outer sheath; ii) a metering inner tube disposed within the metering outer shell and having a central passageway; iii) a metering sleeve connected to the outer shell and the inner tube of the metering arm such that a sealed annulus is defined therebetween, the annulus being generally evacuated from air; iv) a metering arm flange positioned on the metering sleeve, the metering arm flange being removably attached to the outlet fitting flange; d. the male bayonet insert bar, which is removable inside and in fluid communication with the central passage of the inner tube of the dosing is positioned; and e. a dosing head mounted at the distal end of the dosing arm and configured to receive cryogenic liquid from the central passageway of the dosing arm inner tube and dispense the cryogenic liquid. Doser after Claim 12 wherein the doser includes an outer jacket of the metering housing and wherein the reservoir is an inner tank positioned with the outer jacket of the metering housing with an annular space therebetween that is generally evacuated from air. Doser after one of Claims 12 and 13 and further comprising a bellows having a first end in fluid communication with the central passage of the metering arm inner tube and a second end in fluid communication with the metering head. Doser after Claim 12 , wherein the dosing includes a metering valve. Doser after one of Claims 12 - 15 wherein the outlet fitting flange is removably attached to the dosing arm flange by a clamp. Doser after one of Claims 12 - 15 wherein the outlet fitting flange is removably secured with fasteners on the dosing arm flange. Doser after one of Claims 12 - 17 wherein the cryogenic fluid is liquid nitrogen. Doser after one of Claims 12 - 18 , further comprising at least one additional dosing head mounted at the distal end of the dosing arm and configured to receive cryogenic liquids from the central passage of the dosing arm and deliver the cryogenic liquid. Dosing arm, comprising: a. a metering outer shell; b. a metering inner tube disposed within the metering shell outer shell and having a central passageway; c. a dosing head positioned at a distal end of the dosing arm and configured to receive a cryogenic liquid from the central passage; d. a metering sleeve connected to the metering shell outer sheath and the metering arm inner side at a proximal end of the metering arm such that a sealed annulus is defined therebetween, the annulus being generally evacuated from air; and e. a metering arm flange positioned on the metering sleeve. Dosing arm after Claim 20 and further comprising at least one additional dosing head positioned at the distal end of the dosing arm and configured to receive cryogenic liquid from the central passage of the dosing arm. A method of changing a metering arm of a doser comprising the steps of: a. Separating the flanges of a male bayonet fitting and a first female bayonet fitting, the male bayonet fitting being secured to a metering housing of the doser and the first female bayonet fitting being secured to a first metering arm; b. Removing an insert rod of the male bayonet fitting from a central passageway of the first female bayonet fitting; c. Inserting the insert rod in a central passage of a second female bayonet connection of a second metering. d. Connecting the flanges of the male bayonet connector and the second female bayonet connector. A method of changing a metering arm of a doser comprising the steps of: a. Separating the flanges of a first male bayonet fitting and a female bayonet fitting, wherein the first male bayonet fitting is secured to a first metering arm and the female bayonet fitting is secured to the metering housing of the doser; b. Removing an insert rod of the first male bayonet fitting from a central passage of the female bayonet fitting; c. Inserting an insert rod of a second metering arm into the central passage of the female bayonet fitting; and d. Connecting the flanges of the second male bayonet connection and the female bayonet connection.

Images